Help your community this weekend

Gardeners sort through bulbs at last year's Seed Swap, which is organized by the Ogden Seed Exchange. An event that teaches attendees how to save seeds will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Utah State University Botanical Center.

Amanda Johnson

Posted: 3:27 pm, Aug 24th, 2017

Connecting with a community can be a difficult thing to do, between work, family and life’s many responsibilities.

Luckily, Northern Utah has a variety of events coming up this week that can help you connect with your home and neighbors.

Here’s a look at some of the gatherings coming up around the area, where you’ll have the chance to foster connections and meet others who share your interests.

REP ROB BISHOP TOWN HALL MEETING

What: This town hall meeting is being organized by Rep. Rob Bishop’s office. Bishop says, “Thank you for all your letters, phone calls and emails. Now let’s get together. It is my hope that we can have an elevated and productive dialogue about real issues that are important to Utah families. Please join me if you can!”

What: This event is similar to a book club, except there is no commitment to attend each gathering. Attend when your schedule allows or if the book of the month is one you’re interested in reading. The first 30 minutes will be social. Bring a light snack and/or beverage to share. The first book is, “The Shack,” by William P. Young. After discussion, the group will vote on upcoming books. All books will be in the metaphysical, spiritual or holistic genre.

What: The Great Basin Fiber Arts Fair is run by a nonprofit organization that promotes the fiber arts as historical and thriving art forms. Friends from the fiber community will demo and teach a variety of classes about knitting, spinning, crocheting, felting, dyeing, weaving and more. Vendors will be selling fiber of all kinds, tools and other handy items for all types of fiber art, and many finished goods.

What: For just one afternoon, 10 local artists will take over our lobby and turn it into their own personal studio space! This event is free and open to the public. Local participating artists are Michelle Larsen, Tricia Francesconi, Chris Bodily (Hatrobot), Wendy Brandon, Nathan Shumate, Jeff Martinez, Jen Andrews, Ryan Gregson, Andria Robison and Lindsay Huss.

What: The Ogden Diversity Commission, along with various community partners, invites you to a Unity Gathering. We believe that providing a space for people to share will enhance the well-being and quality-of-life for our community. Our goal is to bring awareness of our diverse community and cultivate positive relationships. Gathering is hosted on the municipal steps.

What: Saving seeds from your garden plants is a simple and important skill to learn. In this class, you’ll learn the basics of saving seed for both ornamental and food crops. Welcome back a tradition as old as the dawn of civilization.

What: Tentsile Tree Tents and Arvo Watches are joining forces to do some good for the community. Both brands will be donating 15 percent of sales to the Lantern House to help feed and house the homeless. Local businesses have donated to our silent auction to raise money for the cause. There will be live music from Johnny Utahs. There will also be beverages, snacks and activities for the whole family.

What: In April 2017, Antelope Island was awarded designation as an International Dark Sky Park, the ninth such designation in the state of Utah. Members of the Ogden Astronomical Society and other educators will be out with telescopes to help park visitors experience the dark skies. Beginning at 6 p.m., meet at the White Rock Bay Day Use Trailhead to view the sun through special solar filters. At 8:30 p.m. enjoy a program about our solar system, followed by deep space viewing. Bring camp chairs and a picnic, and enjoy the evening looking at nebulae, star clusters, planets and more. If you bring a flashlight, please be sure it has a red filter over it, and turn off head lights (parking lights are okay) when entering the parking area.

What: A Tamron Tech team member will be at the store to answer all of your photographic questions. Make sure to bring your camera to test drive the latest in Tamron optics. Stick around for a free educational lecture on travel, landscape and nature photography produced exclusively with Tamron lenses. Some topics covered will include researching locations, optics and settings, as well as how to approach a scene. All seminar attendees get a free tour T-shirt and bonus rebates on select Tamron lenses.